INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) –- Democrat Barack Obama's wife Michelle chose silence Wednesday when the couple were asked about recent comments made by their former pastor, and the harsh words Sen. Obama had for him Tuesday.

In a question-and-answer session with voters, the two were asked what kind of toll it takes on them to have to turn their backs on someone who had been good to them in the past.

Sen. Obama responded first, saying he "made a statement yesterday that was hard to make."

"What we want to do now though is to make sure that this doesn’t continue to be a perpetual distraction," he said.

Then he turned to his other half.

"Michelle, do you have anything to add to that?" After a brief hesitation he said, "You do, but..." He stopped and smiled as she shook her head.

The audience laughed.

"Remember, there are a lot of reporters around," he said, joining in the laughter.

Watch Michelle Obama speak out tonight in an interview with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux at 8:20 p.m. ET, with an extended version airing at on AC 360 at 10 p.m. ET

soundoff(351 Responses)

Every word from the Obama's are under intense review by Hillary and the Republicans. This is sad that Edward's wife can say what she thinks but Obama's wife must stay silent. Hmmm...

April 30, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Bukky

I love this woman... Bill would have run off at the mouth.

Its clear that the Obama's are hurt by their former pastor... I'm glad they faced the issue head on and arent dealing with it any more.

April 30, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Vince - Phoenix

Good move Michelle... We all know, no matter WHAT either of them say... they will be slammed for saying it.

April 30, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Sharon Minnesota

Smart move Michelle. We already know how you feel about America so it's wise not to add fuel to the fire.

April 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Jim

Cat got your tongue?

Hillary wil win Indiana and beat McCain in November.

April 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Realist

What a nightmare! Can you imagine it? Obama, Michelle, Wright, Ayers all at the White House? Of course this will never happen. The citizens of the United States will never allow this. As a prestigious Pennsylvanian Republican recently commented....Obama is a flawed candidate and the sooner we realize this the better off the party is. If Obama is the nominee we will never win in November.

April 30, 2008 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Frank, San Diego

I'm a Clinton supporter, but I wish that the media would recognize that Obama and his family are victims in this.

It's fine to condemn what Reverend Wright has said. Senator Clinton has done that, as has almost everyone else in the party.

But to continue prodding and poking the Obamas about it isn't journalism. It's shilling for Republicans who want to sling mud without getting dirty themselves.

April 30, 2008 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Mike

(Please Post)

I personally believe that the NObama/Wright controversy was staged.

I believe that NObama used this farce as an opportunity to get on a platform and look emotional and apologetic to the American people.

I believe that NObama knew that he was losing momentum and needed to appeal (emotional) to the country.

NObama knew that he NEVER denounced himself from Wright, so he needed to try and do the right thing, to appeal to the Catholics, blue collar workers and white male voters that he was losing.

NObama and Wright are like two peas in a pod, this was staged I say!!!

Go Hillary!!!

Don't buy into NObamas false beliefs, he's a wolf in sheeps clothing!

Did anyone else believe that this could be?

April 30, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Daniel, NY, NY

LET MICHELLE SPEAK!

IT ALWAYS DOES SO MUCH TO GET HILLARY ELECTED.

April 30, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Victor in NC

I'M SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT REV. WRIGHT..
IT APPEARS THAT THE MEDIA DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO BRING UP ON OBAMA BUT REV. WRIGHT..
GOODNESS! ITS BEST TO JUST BOYCOTT CNN, MSNBC, FOXNEWS ALL TOGETHER. HIT THEM IN THE POCKET.
I AM SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS THIS WAY.. GOODNESS... EVERYDAY, ALL DAY LONG.. HAVEN'T YOU HAD ENOUGHT..
I AM SURE THERE IS MORE NEWS!

April 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

bitter_in_pa

So what other questions were asked at this event? Anything about the economy, the war, immigration, trade agreements, education?

April 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

joyce

president and first lady
you did the right thing
michaell must watch ebver word tonight
and she will
she is a brilliat lady as obama is a gentamen

April 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

american

Obama family we love you.

you are the greatest.

obama 2008

April 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

FP

Michelle Obama; you said that America is a mean country and that you were not proud to be an American...Isn't this exactly what reverend Wright preached to you and your husband for 20 years? Of course, now Sen Obama changes the tune and turns against us black Americans and against Rev Wright and most of our ministers to convince white voters. Being legitimate is what will earn the respect of most decent people, black or white or yellow.

April 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

Priscilla

Michelle didn't say anything because she's suppose to be on CNN tonight with Anderson Cooper to talk about the Wright issue.

Nothing to report here. Move on.

April 30, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Barbara

Let it go and move on! what would you have Obama do to prove he is no longer linked to the Rev Wright, shoot the man? Puleeeeze.

April 30, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Michael

It's too bad. All of this and past comments of Hillary regarding conservatives, Republicans, whiare hysterical and hyperbolis and meanspirited will also come back to haunt her. Have we all forgotten what a harridan she is.

April 30, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

@americans

good response. Rev. Wright does not deserve a word!

April 30, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

RuthieM

Senator Obama now needs to say, "I have nothing more to say about the matter" and that's it! And Michelle Obama needs to say, "I have nothing more to say about the matter".

April 30, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

Darth Vadik, CA

What is this?
FOX NEWS?
24 hour Rev Wright watch?

I still havent seen the story of what Rumsfeld HIRING 75 former military officers, gave them talking points and sent them out as experts on TV shows to rev up the war in Iraq.

But its Rev Wright that is important, God you are pathetic CNN.

April 30, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

Paul

Obama is no longer electable and the superdelegates must be responsible by backing Senator Clinton.

She has the popular vote, since Michigan and Florida are also a part of the Union. They cannot be ignored by the DNC

Hillary 08- Yes she will!!!

April 30, 2008 05:31 pm at 5:31 pm |

Buddy

Michelle better not say any thing she is next in line to be thrown under the bus.

April 30, 2008 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

Leo in Nevada

Silence is the best move for a politician to deal with controversy. Let's ignore the fact that they have been listening to this Rev for twenty years and just now distancing themselves from him. A politician must do whatever it takes to get elected, including throwing your paster under the bus.

April 30, 2008 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

jas

why oh why is Michelle Obama suddently at a loss for words. She is usually very outspoken and wears the pants in the family. I guess she doesn't want to hurt her "like an uncle's feelings".

April 30, 2008 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

dave

the big question is how much the new obama rejection of wright will influence black voters in INDY and NC.... in INDY blacks are 8 or 9 percent of the state population; while in NC blacks are 20 percent of the NC state population.... and for each, they are about double that percent as Demo primary voters- – 18 percent of demo primary voters in INDY are black, while 40 percent of NC demo primary voters are black.... suppose that 1 in 4, or 1 in 5, of black demo primary voters in INDY and NC walk AWAY from obama because he dumped wright,,, that could be a good chunk of voters, in NC, up to an 8 percent loss....so the pollsters should start surveying black voters to see how many are now prepared to abandon obama: 1 in 4? 1 in 5? 1 in 10? that could have a huge impact, or little impact, on how well obama plays in upcoming primaries, altho blacks are only 2 percent of ORegon population, even less in Montana.....but a bigger chunk in Puerto Rico,,,,.....mccain/rice08!